Planning out installing NMEA 2k

[SkaterRace]

I have a 2019 Blackfin 212CC which while all the electronics mostly have NMEA 2k on them none of them are connected together. I'm looking to change that in the spring so I am starting a proper planning out of it this winter.

Currently in the boat I have a 2x Simrad Go 9 multi-function displays, a Simrad Halo 20 radar, a Simrad RS40 VHF, unknown model Fusion stereo, 2019 Mercury 225XL, 2x Mercury gauges using what appears to me NMEA 0183.

I am looking to add a Mercury Vessel View Link as well as replace both gauges if I can't reuse what is there (I like the look better of the round than the just another screen..

The layout I have so far is

power -> back bone
-> Terminator
-> Cable
-> Multi port
-> Screen 1
-> Screen 2
-> Radar
-> VHF
-> Stereo

-> Cable
-> Vessel View Link
-> Engine
-> ???
-> Guage 1
-> Guage 2
-> Terminator


Does this seem like a sane plan that would work? If not where have I gone wrong?

 

[dingbat]

I have a 2019 Blackfin 212CC which while all the electronics mostly have NMEA 2k on them none of them are connected together. I'm looking to change that in the spring so I am starting a proper planning out of it this winter.

Currently in the boat I have a 2x Simrad Go 9 multi-function displays, a Simrad Halo 20 radar, a Simrad RS40 VHF, unknown model Fusion stereo, 2019 Mercury 225XL, 2x Mercury gauges using what appears to me NMEA 0183.

I am looking to add a Mercury Vessel View Link as well as replace both gauges if I can't reuse what is there (I like the look better of the round than the just another screen..

The layout I have so far is

power -> back bone
-> Terminator
-> Cable
-> Multi port
-> Screen 1
-> Screen 2
-> Radar
-> VHF
-> Stereo

-> Cable
-> Vessel View Link
-> Engine
-> ???
-> Guage 1
-> Guage 2
-> Terminator


Does this seem like a sane plan that would work? If not where have I gone wrong?

What are you trying to do?

Just beware that manufacturers play games with their network communications.

Their proprietary communications (sea Talk, Simnet, etc.) protocols typically support more and faster data transmission than NMEA 2000. I would use the proprietary communications unless you need to communicate with non-native sensors.

Not a Lowrance/Simrad guy, both you should be able to “network” the Simrad units and Peripherals together using the Simrad Ethernet ports and SimNet

I know of no gauges that use serial data (NMEA 0183)

What gauges/manufacturer?
What are they displaying?

 

[alldodge]

While it doesn't matter which direction the multi port or Tee fitting is connected, it does matter that they are all connected in same direction. Don't start it 2 spots and connect in the middle without really paying attention

 

[SkaterRace]

What are you trying to do?

Just beware that manufacturers play games with their network communications.

Their proprietary communications (sea Talk, Simnet, etc.) protocols typically support more and faster data transmission than NMEA 2000. I would use the proprietary communications unless you need to communicate with non-native sensors.

Not a Lowrance/Simrad guy, both you should be able to “network” the Simrad units and Peripherals together using the Simrad Ethernet ports and SimNet

I know of no gauges that use serial data (NMEA 0183)

What gauges/manufacturer?
What are they displaying?

The guages are these series

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/sc1000-sc100-family-glass-len-black-fa?srsltid=AfmBOopazPy7dPlc-WwfUeqdujqH-Y0TTFlu9qzT3c75PZFkElszXb9V

I might be wrong on the NMEA 0183 that was a guess as I knew of nothing else.

My primary reason for NMEA 2k was the Mercury Vessel View Link has NMEA 2k on it and the screens did as well. I know there is an Ethernet looking port between some of them though was hoping to keep a standard protocol to hopefully make adding anything in the future easier.

 

[dingbat]

The guages are these series

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/sc1000-sc100-family-glass-len-black-fa?srsltid=AfmBOopazPy7dPlc-WwfUeqdujqH-Y0TTFlu9qzT3c75PZFkElszXb9V

I might be wrong on the NMEA 0183 that was a guess as I knew of nothing else.

My primary reason for NMEA 2k was the Mercury Vessel View Link has NMEA 2k on it and the screens did as well. I know there is an Ethernet looking port between some of them though was hoping to keep a standard protocol to hopefully make adding anything in the future easier.

Your existing gauges are “Smart Craft” so you currently have two network protocols available for use on the boat.

You have “SimNet” to interface your plotters and radar and you have “Smart craft” to interface with the engine instrumentation.

Not sure what introducing a third party protocol to the mix buys you

As noted earlier, converting “SimNet” to NMEA 2000 may limit data capabilities between the navigation unit. Any Smart Craft module/display will plug and play w/o the need for the vessel view link module.

You only need Vessel View link module to convert CAN to NMEA 2000 if interfacing to third party devices.

 

[SkaterRace]

Your existing gauges are “Smart Craft” so you currently have two network protocols available for use on the boat.

You have “SimNet” to interface your plotters and radar and you have “Smart craft” to interface with the engine instrumentation.

Not sure what introducing a third party protocol to the mix buys you

As noted earlier, converting “SimNet” to NMEA 2000 may limit data capabilities between the navigation unit. Any Smart Craft module/display will plug and play w/o the need for the vessel view link module.

You only need Vessel View link module to convert CAN to NMEA 2000 if interfacing to third party devices.

Ah interesting. I was hoping to use the Link to have my engine data show up on my Simrad displays and also be able to use active trim. The adjusting exhaust for sound would be a cool trick too but not worth paying extra for.

My main goal is the active trim, though, right now I have a bunch of dead/useless spots on my displays and they seem to want to show engine data so was trying to do it all in one rather than adding to an already cluttered console with an active trim pad.